Sanders slams Apple’s housing plan

Candidate claims ‘hypocrisy’ in firm’s proposed donation

With Apple pledging $2.5 billion to fund new methods of easing the housing crisis in California,

it would seem like everyone would be supportive of the tech giant’s new civic-minded philosophy toward its community.

But not Senator and presidential candidate Bernie Sanders.

Sanders blasted Apple for what he called the company’s “hypocrisy” of “throwing pennies at a housing crisis” that the Vermont senator says Apple

had a hand in creating. Among Sanders comments is an accusation that Apple “is entering the real estate lending business is an effort to distract from the fact that it has helped create California’s housing crisis.”

In the statement that he put out late Monday, Sanders also slammed Apple for what he said was not paying its fair share of taxes.

“We cannot rely on corporate tax evaders to solve California’s housing crisis,” Sanders said.

Apple made its housingfunding plans public early Monday. Among the features of Apple’s proposal is the company contributing $1 billion to an investment fund for affordable housing and $1 billion to a mortgage assistance

fund for first-time homebuyers that will be run by the state of California.

Apple also said it would make $300 million in land available to use for building affordable housing in San Jose, and $200 million for loan, grants, and charity programs related to housing.

But Sanders, who as part of his presidential campaign has offered a “Housing for All” proposal that he aims to fund with higher taxes on households with net worths of more than $32

million, wasn’t buying Apple’s newfound generosity.

“Apple is the latest tech industry tax evader that has portrayed its entry into the housing business as an act of philanthropic

altruism,” Sanders said.

Apple didn’t immediately return a request for comment about Sanders’ statements.